Kolomotu’a and Gunnedah – from Friendship to Family
13 October 2022. Kolomotu’a and Gunnedah have established a Sister City relationship.
The High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga to Australia, Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho and Mayor of Gunnedah Shire, Councillor Jamie Chaffey, signed a Sister City Agreement on 24 June this year.
A Sister City relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries that promotes cultural and commercial ties.
The Sister City agreement between Kolomotu’a and Gunnedah will promote mutual understanding and goodwill between the two municipalities, and support exchanges in work, study, sport and culture.
This week HRH Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho is accompanying a delegation of eighteen people from Gunnedah Shire to visit Kolomotu’a. Some have visited before and for others this is their first opportunity to visit the Kingdom.
The Gunnedah Uniting Church Pastor Mere Lightfoot reflected “this visit celebrates Kolomotu’a and Gunnedah’s progression from friendship to family through the Sister City Agreement”.
Through Australia’s labour mobility program, Gunnedah has hosted Tongan workers for a decade. The calibre of these workers and the care and contribution they have made to their employers and to the community, has inspired this Sister City relationship.
The delegation from Gunnedah Shire Council includes the Mayor, General Manager, and members of Gunnedah Shire Council, CEO of Jobs Australia, President of the Gunnedah Rotary Club, a community and culture representative, and representatives from industry including Whitehaven coal, Carroll Cotton, organic beef farming and citrus orchards, as well as the Gunnedah Uniting Church Pastor.
Gunnedah is a rural inland town of New South Wales, with a population of approximately 13,000. It is the koala capital of the world, well known for its natural beauty and thriving industries as well as its welcoming and caring community.
Her Excellency, the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Rachael Moore, was pleased to host the Gunnedah delegation and members of the Kolomotu’a community, together with the Acting Prime Australia in Tonga Minister and Members of Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a welcome reception at the Australian High Commission official residence.
She was deeply honoured by the attendance of the Crown Prince, HRH Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala as guest of honour, accompanied by Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia, HRH Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho.
The reception provided an opportunity for representatives from Kolomotu’a and Gunnedah to share stories from the past and hopes for the future, and to discuss opportunities and plans for further strengthening the bonds between them.
